LETTER: Putting a price on time

To the editor:

    I am in total opposition to the common hour, both the measure itself and the way it was passed. Both are drenched with disregard for students’ voices and a far distant removal from student life. It’s unfortunate and rather disappointing that a measure that will have such a drastic effect on students’ lives was passed without ever really asking the students themselves. After all, it is our money.

    But rather than rehash what has already been said, I’d like to speak on behalf of a different group of students and what I believe to be some common views we share. I am a married student. I have been married for about a year and a half and have loved every minute of it. But there are days where I am awake and with the woman I love for a mere few hours due to the demands of life. Therefore, that time is precious to me and cannot have a price tag put on it. I recognize the need to be away at times but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it.

    But apparently there are those on this campus who think you can put a price on my time. They call them student fees and use them to justify keeping hard-working couples out of their homes. With scarce jobs in Logan, budget cuts dropping classes and mouths to feed, is it any wonder taking a primetime hour out of two school days a week is meeting such opposition? In my four semesters here at USU I’ve had a class during the “common hour” every semester. It fits with work and allows me to be home at a reasonable hour. Having to leave earlier, come home later or work longer nights is just not worth a guest lecture, no matter who it is.

    Even though I ive in Aggie Village, a mere five minutes from campus, I still would not leave my home to attend a guest lecture because nothing this campus has to offer can compete with what I already have. We don’t have any children yet but can you imagine how much stronger that feeling would be for those that do? Just because married students might not be as socially active as single students on campus doesn’t make us any less of a student.  Respect our time and stop trying to put a price tag on it.

Eric Arthur